Sri Lankan Rupee · Rs · Official currency of Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan rupee (Rs) was introduced in 1872 during British colonial rule, replacing the Indian rupee system.
Six denominations circulate: Rs20, Rs50, Rs100, Rs500, Rs1,000, and Rs5,000, featuring Sri Lankan wildlife and cultural heritage.
Card payments are increasingly common at tourist spots, but cash is still the default in smaller towns and local markets. Exchanging at a bank or licensed money changer in the city tends to get a better rate than at the airport, and given how much rates have fluctuated recently, changing money in smaller batches as you go is a reasonable approach. Small bills come in handy often, for tuk-tuk fares or temple donations, so it's worth keeping a good stock.
You can view the real banknote designs on the Central Bank of Sri Lanka's official page.
See Sri Lankan Rupee banknotes at today's exchange rate →